At least four of the 80 barangays in this city have managed to maintain being free of coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

In a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, lawyer Rey Gealon, spokesperson of the Cebu City government, said the four — Sudlon I, Buot, Paril, and Taptap — are all mountain barangays.

Gealon said these inland villages have been Covid-free since the onset of the pandemic early this year.

A total of 76 barangays in the city have confirmed cases of coronavirus.

But at least 32 of them have managed to clear all active cases as of Aug. 23, Gealon said.

There are now 36 barangays in the city with no reported Covid-19 patients, based on official data from August 10-23.

“We recognize the efforts of our front-liners who are a big part in this development,” Gealon said in Cebuano.

He attributed the dropping number of cases in the city to the heightened contact tracing done across the city and improved testing capacity.

“Our 134 contact tracers have really helped us manage the health crisis,” he added, also citing the continued mandate for the minimum health standards to be followed especially in public places.

Cebu City has been downgraded to a more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) since August 1.

But while the city has managed to keep the number of new Covid-19 cases low in recent weeks, Gealon said the people should not be complacent and that mitigating efforts must continue. (PNA)